The Botswana Bowling Association (BBA) has sent 10 bowlers to compete at the African States Tournament (AST). The team comprises of five men and five women. The tournament will be held in Lusaka, Zambia, from today until September 19.

Speaking during the sending off ceremony, BBA executive secretary, Charmaine Hassen said the tournament is held under the auspices of Zone 6, and that it is the most prestigious bowling tournament in the continent. She said in the past, the tournament was as a qualifying fixture for the World Bowls Championship, but that the World Bowls governing body has changed the qualifying criteria for future world championship.

Hassen said the tournament remains relevant for Team Botswana as it is used to gauge the team’s competitiveness on a continental stage as well as to use it as a stepping stone to qualify for major international events such as the Commonwealth Games.

The men’s team manager, John Gaborutwe said the team has registered the best performance in AST.

He noted that since 1992, both the men’s and women’s teams have won 18 medals at the tournament, 10 medals for women and eight for men. Gaborutwe also said the team registered the best performance in 1992 and 2009 where a combined tally of five medals were won in each of those years.

He said the women’s medal tally comprises of seven silver and three bronze medals, while the men’s medal count comprises of one gold, five silver and two bronze medals. He said the team left the country to Zambia by road via the Kazungula Border Post.

Countries to participate in the tournament include Kenya, Namibia, Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

For his part, the men’s team coach, Clifton Richardson said they have put together the strongest team in recent times as all players have international experience accumulated from previous AST events, Commonwealth Games and World Championships.

He said the team would later in the year compete with 23 other bowling nations at the Atlantic Games World Championships qualifies scheduled for Cyprus. Richardson said the team has prepared well for the coming tournament, and that two match practices were organised for the team.

He also noted a number of players have scooped top positions in the just ended Mafikeng Bowls Open. The coach also said they have set themselves a new target of winning six medals out of the possible 27.

Francistown Club chairperson, Tony Da Rocha said he was pleased that all the preparatory work was done satisfactory.

He gave a special thanks to Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) who continues to support their course for growing the sport and ensuring that it competes at the highest level possible. Da Rocha also appreciated the players’ commitments to avail themselves from national team activities.

Pauline Lekone, Tibone Fox from Gaborone club, Obopile Ashby from Francistown club, Tirelo Buckley from Jwaneng club and Binkie Gaborutwe of Phikwe club make up the women’s squad. Their head coach will be Jane Mitchell from Jwaneng.

The men’s team is comprised of Remmy Kebapetse and Boitumelo Mosinyi from Jwaneng Club, Khumo Kebalatetse and Dicks Senna of Phikwe club and Kabo Gaboutloeloe of Gaborone club.

The teams will contest in four disciplines being the singles, pairs, triples and fours for both men and women’s categories.